Salt Lake Bees: Billy Buckner gives Salt Lake Bees a big lift

OKLAHOMA CITY — Billy Buckner tossed eight strong innings and the Salt Lake bullpen held on in the ninth as the Bees downed the Oklahoma City RedHawks 6-4 on Saturday night.

Buckner (4-2) set the tone by allowing just one run going into the ninth inning in what is the longest outing by a Bees' pitcher this season.

But in the ninth, Buckner gave up a single and a walk to open the inning. Fernando Cabrera came in to pitch and struck out Andy Simunic, but surrendered a three run homer to Che-Hsuan Lin that brought the RedHawks to within 6-4. Austin Wates and Jonathan Villar then singled to put the potential tying runs on base.

Cabrera fanned Jake Elmore, with both runners advancing on a double steal. Mitch Stetter came out of the pen and walked Brett Wallace to load the bases, but retired Brandon Laird on a fly ball to right to record his second save of the season.

Matt Long, who was in his first game with the Bees after being promoted from Arkansas, homered on the second pitch he saw. Matt Young drove in three runs for the Bees, who ended the RedHawks' 11-game home winning streak.